PoK Long March Still On Despite Crackdown, Says JAAC Leader | Exclusive

Published 1 August 2026 · world

PoK Long March Still On Despite Crackdown, Says JAAC Leader | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: August 01, 2026, 10:50 IST Umar Nazir Kashmiri claimed

PoK Long March Still On Despite Crackdown, Says JAAC Leader | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: August 01, 2026, 10:50 IST Umar Nazir Kashmiri claimed nearly 50 protesters have been killed in three days as the movement continues across PoK. Rapid Read Umar Nazir Kashmiri said the JAAC had temporarily postponed the Long March to avoid more casualties. Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) leader Umar Nazir Kashmiri has said the call for the Long March remains intact despite the continuing siege and crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Kashmiri claimed that nearly 50 protesters had been killed over the past three days. He also denied that any negotiations were taking place and said the temporary postponement of the march was a tactical move aimed at preventing further loss of life. “Our call for the Long March remains intact, it remains intact," Kashmiri said. Long March Temporarily Postponed Kashmiri said the JAAC had temporarily postponed the Long March to avoid more casualties.

“As a tactical move, temporarily, we postponed the Long March call because moving forward would lead to further loss of human lives," he said. He maintained, however, that the call itself had not been withdrawn. “In the last three days, nearly 50 of our comrades have been martyred," Kashmiri claimed. No Negotiations Under Way Kashmiri rejected reports of talks or any understanding with the authorities. “No negotiations are taking place, no talks of any kind are happening, no form of forgiveness," he said. He also accused security personnel of pointing guns at protesters in return for salaries and pensions. “They are killing us for a salary. They stand before us aiming guns for a salary, for a pension," Kashmiri said. Rawalakot Blockade Broken The JAAC leader said protesters had broken the blockade of Rawalakot, which he claimed had remained in place for the past two months. “You broke the blockade of Rawalakot city which had been in place for the last two months," he said.

Kashmiri also praised those who remained awake through the night and stood in forested areas without weapons. “Those who put their lives on the line to save hundreds of human lives, staying awake through the night, standing inside the forests, empty-handed, without even a weapon in their hands," he said. Protests Across Mirpur Division Kashmiri rejected what he described as propaganda that only a small number of people had gathered around Rawalakot. “Propaganda is being spread that only a few people are gathered around Rawalakot even though in this protest, I salute the people of Bhimber, Kotli, Mirpur, every single inch of the Mirpur division," he said. He also referred to demonstrations in Muzaffarabad. “Today you saw that the city of Muzaffarabad echoed with slogans, and there too, the sacred vow was fulfilled," Kashmiri said. Women Remain At Dheerkot Protest Kashmiri said women and young girls remained at the protest in Dheerkot despite the rain.